Katalina Mayorga is the Colombian American founder of El Camino Travel. She never set out to start a travel company, but a conversation with a taxi driver in Guatemala—about the drug violence shaping his community—changed the course of her life.

Born and raised in Washington State to Colombian parents, Katalina spent much of her adult life in Washington, D.C. At 20, she took a six-month break from university to backpack solo across South America. When she ran out of money, she spent six unforgettable weeks working at a hostel in Buenos Aires—trading room and board for boxed wine and empanadas. She later graduated with a B.A. in International Studies and Human Rights and an M.A. in Global Environmental Policy.

Before launching El Camino, Katalina worked alongside innovators in Brazil, Peru, Uganda, Sudan, and Haiti—individuals building more equitable futures in complex environments. Those experiences shaped her belief in bold thinking, purposeful work, and the power of relationships—values that continue to define El Camino today.

Because of the brand she has built and her deep ties across the travel, hospitality, and creative industries, Katalina is frequently invited to the world’s leading conferences and into behind-the-scenes conversations with people shaping the future of travel. The access, insights, and relationships she gains directly inform every journey El Camino designs, giving travelers rare exposure to the people and ideas influencing culture around the world.

When she’s not on the road, Katalina can usually be found in a hot-yoga class, writing to clear her head, or watching animal videos with her husband on Sunday mornings. She was recently named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 15 Most Influential Women in Travel and has been featured in Marie Claire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Skift for her work at the intersection of travel and entrepreneurship.

Katalina currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Tory Burch Foundation, the Soho House City Without Houses Committee, and the Board of Champions for Global Glimpse, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring students from all economic backgrounds experience the life-changing power of travel.

One of the greatest joys of building El Camino has been meeting the extraordinary travelers who join its journeys—and often becoming lifelong friends along the way. She hopes your paths cross in some far-flung corner of the world.

Rapid Fire with Katalina

1. What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? Mongolia

2. What’s one item you could never travel without? A bold red lipstick. See my travel tip below on why.

3. Top travel tip? I try to pack light and be strategic about what I bring. However, I definitely want to be able to go day to night and feel a little fancy when it is night. The easiest way to quickly dress up any day outfit is a bold lipstick and some big jewelry. Both items do not take up much space in your luggage.